Bacarra Church

Bacarra Church is a Roman Catholic church located in the municipality of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laoag. The church was founded by the Augustinians, who dedicated it to St. Andrew.The church was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines. It is known for its centuries-old, domeless, leaning bell tower.HistoryThe Augustinians founded the town of Bacarra on September 18, 1590 and began their missionary activity on land owned by a chieftain the Spaniards named Castillo and a certain Andres Hermosa. Baccara was established as a mission center for the Apayaos. The Augustinian mission was run by two priests serving a population of 4,000. The church and an adjoining convent were established in 1593 on the site where an Igorot named Bacsalandoc, first settler of the town and chieftain, had erected his hut. The church site is now located in the center of town.The town became a visita of Laoag in 1603 and an independent parish in 1614. In 1782 a new church on the site was inaugurated by the Augustinians.